An optical projector comprises a collimated light source, a pattern generating optical element, and a variable optical element positioned optically between the collimated light source and the pattern generating optical element. The variable optical element is configured to adjust a divergence of a light beam incident on the pattern generating optical element. The pattern generating optical element is configured to emit patterned light when the variable optical element is in a first state, and to emit non-patterned light when the variable optical element is in a second state.